Minutes of the 11th meeting of the re-constituted Principal Committee held on 06.04.2021 through Video Conferencing in compliance to the directions of Hon’ble NGT in the matter OA No. 06 of 2012 The 11th meeting of the re-constituted Principal Committee (Yamuna) constituted by Hon’ble NGT in the matter OA No. 06 of 2012 was held through video conferencing on 06.04.2021 from 03.00 PM onwards in Conference Room, NMCG under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The list of participants present at the meeting is at Annexure-I. II. Director General, NMCG welcomed all the participants and briefed about the scope of the Principal Committee and the actions taken previously by the Committee. ED (Tech), NMCG informed that Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is implementing the project ‘Restoration and Rejuvenation of Yamuna Flood Plain’ in the O-zone area of River Yamuna, updated status of which shall be provided by DDA. Further, it was highlighted that although DDA is also taking action against defaulters for dumping in floodplains, however, complaints have been received at NMCG with regard various activities such as dumping of malba, excavation and illegal construction activities being carried out in the Yamuna Floodplain. Copy of complaints received are being forwarded to DDA for submitting responses, however the same remains awaited. One compliant received from Yamuna Bank Kisan Morcha against contractor K.R. Anand related to dumping of malba, excavation and construction in the floodplain. In response to the compliant received, contractor K. R. Anand has informed that they are implementing the work on behalf of DDA for ‘Restoration and Rejuvenation of Yamuna Flood Plain’ from Old Railway Bridge to ITO Barrage. Therefore, DDA has to ensure compliance to the directions of NGT. Further, Shri Manoj Mishra, Convener, Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan has alleged that large scale dumping in floodplain of River Yamuna has been done by CPWD and PWD, Delhi. DDA needs to provide action taken in this regard. Further, it has also been highlighted that DDA plans to redraw the boundaries of Zone O (River Yamuna) in NCTD, DDA may provide their observations in this regard as well. 1 A compliant was also received with regard to dumping of malba by NCRTC in River Hindon due to which width of the river has drastically been reduced. Department of Irrigation, Uttar Pradesh may kindly review the issue and take necessary action in this regard. Agenda 1: DDA’s project ‘Restoration and Rejuvenation of Yamuna Flood Plain’. Principal Commissioner (Hort. & LS), DDA along with Additional Commissioner, DDA and Advisor (Yamuna), DDA attended the meeting. Advisor (Yamuna), DDA through a presentation briefed about the status of the project. It was informed that the whole ‘Restoration and Rejuvenation of Yamuna Flood Plain’ project has been divided into 10 different projects covering area from Wazirabad Barrage to Okhla Barrage, Delhi and all the 10 projects are at different stages of implementation. Project – 1 (Total 197 hectare) – known as ASITA EAST (from Old Railway Bridge to ITO Barrage, Eastern Bank). After removal of encroachments, 90 hectare of land which was with DDA have been developed with creation of wetland, plantation of riverine species, etc. For remaining 107 hectare of land, which is with Uttar Pradesh Government, tender has been awarded and the work is expected to be completed by October 2021. Project – 2 (Total 100 hectare) – named as Kalindi Aviral from Nizamuddin Bridge (Barapullah Drain) to DND on Western Bank. Work has been completed and the area has been developed. It was informed that the developed area is being hampered by the ongoing works being carried out by NCRTC for development of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) corridor. Project – 3 (Total 115 hectare) – named as Kalindi Biodiversity Park (from DND to proposed Kalindi Bypass, Western Bank), the area is being developed by CEMDE and is expected to be completed by June 2021. For treatment of wastewater coming from 11 drains around the proposed area, Constructed Wetlands are being developed. Five number of Constructed Wetlands have been completed & started functioning (out of total nine and two have been added later). The works have been held up due to the start of the piling works by NHAI in this area for the construction of Kalindi Bypass. The works for the constructed wetlands would only be restarted once the piling is done by NHAI. 2 Project – 4 (Total 200 hectare) – known as ASITA WEST (Old Railway Bridge to ITO Barrage, Western Bank). Work has been completed in 93 hectare of land, after removal of encroachment and the area has been developed. Work is in progress in remaining 107 hectare of land and is expected to be completed by July 2021. Project – 5 (Total 116.25 hectare) – from New Railway Line to Nizamuddin Bridge (both on Eastern & Western Bank). 18 hectare of land on Western Bank and 90 hectare on Eastern Bank is to be developed by DDA, tenders have been called and works shall start soon. A 4 m wide elevated boardwalk first of its kind is proposed in 90 hectare area as a pilot project for connecting to the river. Remaining 8.25 hectare on Western Bank is to be developed by CPWD as a part of New India Garden. Project – 6 (Total 66 hectare) – on Western Bank from Wazirabad Barrage to Old Railway Bridge. The area has been entrusted to INTACH by Hon’ble NGT as the area has a number of heritage structures. 16 hectare of land at Qudesia Ghat is being developed and completion is expected by September 2021. 13.6 hectare of land at Sur Ghat, 33 hectare at Eco-trail and 3.4 hectare at Yamuna Bazar are proposed to be developed. Project – 7 (Total 236.5 hectare) – named as Yamuna Vanasthali (from Wazirabad Barrage to ISBT Barrage, Eastern Bank), tenders have been called and the works are expected to be completed by September 2021. Adjoining area has been allotted for compensatory planation to various departments. Proposed activities in the area apart from planation of riverine species are restoration of the 9 existing depressions into waterbodies, greenway along the Pushta Road and ISBT Bridge comprising of kachha cycle tracks, walkways and public interactive spaces and pedestrian promenades connecting to the central water body and the River. Project – 8 (Total 397.75 hectare) – named as Mayur Nature Park (from Nizamuddin Bridge to DND Flyway, Eastern Bank), 235 hectare of land is with DDA and 162.75 hectare of land is with Uttar Pradesh Government. The scheme of the total area was prepared but during commencement of works at site, it was brought to the notice that approx. 100 Ha. area is de-notified and under private ownership. Process of demarcation is going on in 3 coordination with Revenue Department of GNCTD. Landscape proposal has to be re-worked accordingly. Project – 9 (Total 30 hectare) – Eco-tourism area (from Geeta colony to ITO Barrage, Western Bank). It was informed that the area falls outside 1 in 25 year floodplain. 13 Ha was allotted to DESU (now IPGCL) and 7.4 Ha was allotted to DTC on a temporary basis during Commonwealth Games 2010. These land areas are yet to be retrieved. Only 9.6 Ha of the remaining land is available with DDA at present for development and it is proposed to include River museum and other eco-tourism activities, for which experts in this field are being consulted. Revenue generated from this area is proposed to be utilized for maintenance and sustainability of the other areas. Principal Committee was requested to allow permission for development of river museum in the 30 hectare area, which is beyond 1 in 25 year floodplain of River Yamuna. Project – 10 (Total 45 hectare) – named as Hindon Sarovar (from Nizamuddin Bridge to DND, Eastern Bank). 15 hectare of land with DDA has been entrusted to CEMDE. Some portion of this area is to be de-notified that needs demarcation in coordination with Revenue Department of GNCT Delhi. 30 hectare of land is with Uttar Pradesh Government. The project comprises of creation of wetlands for treating water from the Hindon Canal. The mouth of these wetlands falls under the jurisdiction of UP Irrigation Department. Further, it was reiterated that at 3 project sites, around 300 hectare of land belongs to Uttar Pradesh Government and it is estimated that 98 crores may be required, of which 10 crores have been provided by UP Government to DDA as first installment. Agenda 2: Discussion with regard action taken with regard to dumping in Yamuna floodplains Advisor (Yamuna), DDA informed that to keep a check on illegal dumping on floodplains, DDA has installed 81 cameras at 27 different locations and had deployed 125 security guards. Further, more cameras are being installed as and when required. Round the clock vigilance at various vulnerable locations like at Garhi Mandu Village entry points, Usmanpur Village, Near Signature 4 Bridge and Old Railway Bridge etc. of entry/exit to the floodplains. Challans are also being imposed on defaulting vehicles for dumping in floodplain. Details provided are as below: Year No. of challans Total amount of challans (Rs.) Total amount recovered (Rs.) 2021 71 11,20,000/- NIL 2020 54 20,30,000/- 1,50,000/- 2019 186 86,95,000/- 16,85,000/- 2018 1 50,000/- NIL Further, it was informed that DDA is removing dumped malba from the floodplain, as and when information is received. DDA has also removed malba dumped by NHAI at Mayur Vihar near Nizamuddin Bridge. Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti appreciated the work being done by DDA and directed that in such cases, DDA should impose challans on the Contractors/ NHAI for illegal dumping in floodplains, instead of fining just the vehicles responsible for dumping.